Perilous
Times
Explosions rock oil pipeline in southern Iraq
By NABIL AL-JURANI, Associated Press
BASRA, Iraq — Iraqi officials say two large explosions have
damaged an oil pipeline in southern Iraq and set off a huge blaze.
The deputy head of the Basra provincial council, Ahmed al-Sulaiti,
said firefighters were still battling the fire late Tuesday.
He said authorities did not know what caused the blasts near the
Rumaila oil field, but security official in Basra said the
explosions were set off by bombs.
The official did not want to be identified because he was not
authorized to speak to the media.
Basra is a main oil center in Iraq's south.
Rumaila is being developed by Britain's BP and China's CNPC. Iraq
has been trying to attract foreign investment to develop its
dilapidated energy sector after years of war and sanctions.